Box Score NEWPORT, R.I. (September 14, 2021) - Junior Michelle Belcher (Norton, Mass.) scored a goal in each half and assisted on another to lead visiting Bridgewater State University women's soccer to its first victory of 2021, a 4-0 final against Salve Regina University at Toppa Field.
Series and Streaks
The Bears improve to 21-4-1 in the all-time series which began in 1986, and they have won the last three meetings.
Three Stars of the Game
- Bridgewater State junior Michelle Belcher (Norton, Mass.) scored the first goal of the season for the Bears, then assisted on another, before adding her second goal of the game in the second half.
- Bridgewater State sophomore Audra McDuffie (Millbury, Mass.) assisted on Belcher's game-winner and got the gift back from Belcher in the second half with her header off a cross.
- Salve Regina junior Olivia Pickard (Wellfleet, Mass.) logged nearly 80 minutes in midfield and was a force for the Seahawks all over the field.
Key Stat of the Game
Bridgewater State kept the pressure on Salve Regina by pinning the Seahawks back on defense and producing nine (9) corner kick opportunities while the hosts had just three (3) set plays from the end line. The Bears converted a corner kick for their second goal in the first half.
Turning Point
Bridgewater State scored its first goal of the season (after shutout losses at MIT and against Wheaton) with two tallies in the first half. The Bears doubled their lead with two more in the first 14 minutes of the second half before using the final 30 minutes to work in playing time for several players.
Quick Hits
- Salve Regina suffered its first home loss since a 1-0 setback to Becker College on October 17, 2019 (698 days).
- Georgia Drake (Mashpee, Mass.) stopped half the shots on her net - four (4).
- Tory Viola-Laughery (Brockton, Mass.) made two saves in the shutout.
Next Up
Salve Regina (3-3) plays at Worcester State University on Thursday (7 p.m.) before returning home to open its Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) slate with Nichols College on Saturday (12 p.m.) at Reynolds Field. Bridgewater State (1-2) plays a non-league contest at Emmanuel College on Thursday (7 p.m.).
